Jaxon led her through the quiet streets, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back, not pushingâjust there, steady, solid. The cool night air wrapped around them, but Lena barely felt it. Her pulse was still racing, her skin still tingling from the kiss, and her mind? A mess of thoughts she couldn't untangle.
She assumed they'd go through the front door, but the closer they got to his house, the heavier her steps became.
Jaxon glanced at her. "Second thoughts?"
Lena swallowed, staring at the house. The porch light was still on, and through the window, she could see the faint glow of the TV. That meant his dad was probably still in the living room.
And even if they made it upstairs without being noticed, they'd have to walk right past Ethan's door.
Ethan had been cool about everything latelyâor at least, as cool as she could expect him to be. But this? Walking into Jaxon's room, late at night, knowing full well Ethan was right down the hall?
That might be too much.
She exhaled. "I justâif we walk in there, we have to pass Ethan's door. And I don't know if I can do that tonight."
Jaxon studied her for a second. Then, instead of arguing, he just nodded toward the side of the house.
"C'mon, Carter. We'll take the scenic route."
Lena frowned. "What does that evenâ" She stopped as he grabbed onto the trellis beneath his window and started climbing.
Her jaw dropped. "Are you seriously scaling your house right now?"
Jaxon reached the second-floor ledge with ease, turning back to smirk at her. "You coming?"
Lena crossed her arms. "Or... I could use the perfectly normal front door."
Jaxon shrugged. "Your call. But if you're not ready for that yet, this way's easier."
She hesitated. He was giving her an outâno pressure, no teasing, just another option.
Lena let out a slow breath, then grabbed his hand. "If I die, I'm haunting you."
Jaxon chuckled. "Fair deal."
Muttering complaints under her breath, she grabbed his hand, and with a mix of terrible climbing skills and Jaxon pulling her up, she somehow managed to not die.
Once she was safely inside, she shot him a look. "Should I be worried about how suspiciously good you are at this? "
Jaxon grinned, shutting the window behind them. "What can I say? I like to make an entrance."
Lena rolled her eyes but didn't respond. Her attention drifted around the room, familiar yet suddenly different. The space was familiarâmessy but not chaotic, basketball gear everywhere, a few trophies collecting dust on a shelf. It smelled like himâclean laundry and something distinctly Jaxon. But now, there was a new layer to it, a quiet intensity in the air that made her heart race.
"This is a very cliché move, Walker," Lena teased, crossing her arms. "Bringing a girl to your room at night?"
Jaxon chuckled, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against his desk. "Yeah, except I don't think I've ever been this nervous about it before."
Something in Lena's chest tightened at that. She swallowed, taking a slow step toward him. "You're nervous?"
Jaxon's jaw flexed, his usual cocky expression softening. "Yeah."
She hadn't expected that. Jaxon Walker, always in control, always smooth, always knowing exactly what to sayânervous.
Lena exhaled, the tension in her own body easing as she reached for his hand. "Me too."
Jaxon's fingers curled around hers, his grip warm and steady. "Then let's not rush."
He pulled her gently toward the bed, but not in a way that felt demanding. Just an invitation.
They sat, facing each other, the only sound in the room their steady breathing. Lena didn't know how long they sat there, fingers intertwined, saying nothing but speaking in every touch, every glance, every unspoken understanding between them.
Jaxon reached up, brushing his knuckles against her cheek. "Lena," he murmured. "Are you sure?"
She knew what he was asking. Not just about tonight. Not just about this.
But about them. About letting him in. About trusting him in a way she'd never trusted anyone before.
And for the first time, she didn't feel afraid.
Lena nodded, squeezing his hand. "Yeah. I'm sure."
Jaxon's jaw tightened, something flashing in his eyes before he reached for her, pulling her closerânot rushed, not impatient, but deliberate, as if he was giving her every chance to stop him.
She didn't.
And when his lips found hers again, it wasn't just a kiss.
It was a promise.