Lena stirred slowly, the warmth of Jaxon still wrapped around her. Morning light filtered softly through the blinds, casting a golden glow over his bare shoulders, his chest rising and falling steadily. She should move.
She didn't.
Instead, she stayed there, listening to the rhythmic sound of his breathing, feeling the slow brush of his fingers against her spineâlazy, absentminded, comforting.
"You awake?" he murmured, voice husky with sleep.
Lena smiled, eyes still closed. "Maybe."
Jaxon chuckled, his breath warm against her hair. "You're staring at me again, aren't you?"
She peeked up at him, smirking. "You wish."
His grin was slow and lazy, his arms tightening briefly around her before he exhaled. "I could get used to this."
Something warm curled in Lena's chest. She nudged him playfully. "Careful, Walker. You're starting to sound sentimental."
"You bring out my soft side," he admitted easily, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. "It's dangerous."
Lena laughed, the sound quiet between them. "You'll survive."
The moment stretched between them, comfortable, easy, real. But then, reality nudged its way inâthey couldn't stay in this bubble forever.
A knock sounded at Jaxon's door.
Lena tensed instantly, her heart jumping into her throat.
"Relax," Jaxon whispered, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "It's just Ethan. He's not gonna kill me. Probably."
Lena smacked his arm, but before she could protest, Jaxon called out, "Yeah?"
Ethan's voice was muffled through the door. "You two planning to make an appearance, or are you just gonna stay in there and avoid the inevitable?"
Lena groaned, burying her face in Jaxon's shoulder. " So much for keeping things low."
Jaxon chuckled, squeezing her waist before sitting up. "Guess we're busted."
Lena sat up reluctantly, running a hand through her hair as Jaxon pulled on a t-shirt. She hesitated at the edge of the bed, glancing at him.
"Is this going to be weird?" she asked.
Jaxon smirked. "For Ethan? Definitely. But he'll deal."
With a deep breath, Lena followed Jaxon into the hallway and down to the kitchen, where Ethan stood at the counter, sipping coffee like it was just another morning.
Except it wasn't.
He glanced up at them, his gaze flicking between them for a long moment before he exhaled. "I'm never going to get used to this."
Lena bit her lip, waiting for him to say something else. A sarcastic remark. A warning. Anything.
Ethan sipped his coffee again before setting it down. "But I see it makes you two really happy, so... whatever."
Jaxon clutched his chest dramatically. "Wow. Such a heartfelt blessing. I might tear up."
Ethan shot him a flat look. "Shut up, Walker."
Lena smiled, relief settling in her chest as she grabbed a mug and poured herself some coffee. "So, what now?"
Ethan leaned against the counter, eyes narrowing slightly. "Now, we eat breakfast, and I act like I don't know why Jaxon looks so damn smug."
Jaxon smirked, leaning against the counter. "What can I say? Some of us just have an irresistible charm."
Ethan snorted. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Walker."
Lena sighed, sipping her coffee as she leaned against the counter. Maybe things weren't as complicated as she thought.
At least, not yet.