Lena had lost track of how many drinks she'd had. The burn of the alcohol had long since faded, replaced by a warm, buzzing sensation that made everything feel a little lighter, a little less complicated.
Mia had convinced her to take a shot, then another, and before she knew it, she was laughing at things that weren't all that funny and swaying to the music without a care.
The once-overwhelming party had somehow transformed into something fun, something freeing. The music thumped through the house, shaking the floors as people danced, and for the first time in a long time, Lena let herself join in.
She wasn't much of a dancerâat least, not soberâbut tonight, she didn't care. The rhythm of the music pulled her in, and before she knew it, she was moving, hips swaying, head tilted back as she let herself get lost in the moment.
"Didn't think you had it in you, Carter."
She turned, still moving, to find Jaxon watching her from the edge of the crowd. His usual smirk was in place, but his eyes? His eyes were locked on her like she was something worth looking at.
Lena grinned, emboldened by the alcohol. "You underestimate me, Walker."
Jaxon took a step closer, his hands slipping into his pockets. "Clearly."
The tension between them was different tonight. Less playful, more charged. Maybe it was the drinks, maybe it was the party, or maybe it was something neither of them wanted to admit just yet.
"You gonna keep standing there, or are you actually gonna dance?" Lena challenged, raising an eyebrow.
Jaxon let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Oh, I don't dance."
"Coward."
That did it. With a sigh that was more amused than reluctant, Jaxon stepped closer, just enough that she could feel his presence. He didn't touch her, didn't need to. The space between them crackled anyway.
"Alright, Carter," he murmured, voice lower now. "Let's see what you got."
Lena smirked, rolling her shoulders back as she let herself sink into the music again. She wasn't sure when it happened, but suddenly, they were moving together. Not touching, but close. Close enough that when she turned, she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin.
People were watching. She knew it. She could feel their eyes, hear the whispers.
Jaxon and Lena? What the hell is going on?
She knew that normally, this would make her stop, make her shrink back, make her second-guess every movement.
But right now? She didn't care.
The music pulsed through her veins, and the heat between her and Jaxon only amplified it. He wasn't smirking anymore. His expression had shiftedâstill confident, still teasing, but there was something else now. Something real.
His fingers brushed against hers. A test. A question.
Lena didn't pull away.
Jaxon's hand found her waist, his touch light but firm, pulling her a fraction closer. She didn't resist. If anything, she leaned into it, her body moving in sync with his, like they'd been doing this forever.
Her heart was pounding. She could hear it over the music. Or maybe that was his heartbeat. Maybe it was both.
Jaxon's gaze dropped to her lips. Just for a second.
Lena swallowed. She should stop this. Should step back. Should remind herself why this was a bad idea.
But then Jaxon tilted his head slightly, his lips parting like he was about to say something, and she realizedâshe wanted him to kiss her.
And maybe, just maybe, he was thinking the same thing.