At some point, Lena realized she wasn't leaving.
Jaxon had leaned back against the headboard, and she had curled into his side without thinking. His fingers traced slow patterns along her arm while she closed her eyes for a moment, just listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing.
"I really should go," she murmured again, but made no effort to move.
Jaxon smirked, voice laced with amusement. "Sure you should."
Lena cracked an eye open to glare at him, but he just grinned, tugging her closer.
"Stay," he said simply.
She exhaled, hesitating, but there was something about the way he said itâsoft, certain, like he wasn't demanding, just... hoping.
And she didn't want to leave.
So she didn't.
"Fine," she muttered, trying not to sound too eager.
Jaxon let out a victorious chuckle but didn't push it further. Instead, his fingers moved to her hair, running through it lazily. Lena sighed, the sensation lulling her into something dangerously close to peace.
"I think I like this," Jaxon mused.
Lena hummed. "Like what?"
"You. Here. In my arms."
She rolled her eyes but didn't fight the smile tugging at her lips. "That's cheesy, Walker."
Jaxon laughed, pressing his lips to the top of her head in a way that felt so natural, so effortless, that it sent a strange warmth through her chest.
"You love it," he said smugly.
Lena sighed dramatically. "Maybe a little."
Jaxon chuckled, tightening his hold around her. "Tired?"
She nodded, her eyelids already feeling heavier. "Yeah."
He didn't say anything elseâjust kept playing with her hair, the steady rhythm of his breathing mixing with hers, until slowly, without meaning to, Lena drifted off in his arms.
And for the first time in a long time, she didn't have a single doubt about where she was meant to be.