Page 25 of Jaxon

“You don’t have to walk this path alone anymore,” she said. “I’m here.”

Jaxon’s arms tightened around her, and she could feel the subtle tremor that ran through him. The first cracks in the walls he had built, giving way to the light that streamed between them—a light to guide him out of the darkness, and lead them both home.

“After she died, I swore I’d dismantle the Wolverines, piece by bloody piece. But taking revenge wouldn’t bring her back. Nothing would.” His voice cracked on the last word.

Rachel stroked his cheek, her heart aching for his loss. “You loved her so much,” she said. “Of course, her death left a hole inside you. But she wouldn’t want you to destroy yourself over it, Jaxon. She’d want you to heal. To find peace.”

Jaxon was silent for a long moment. Then he gazed at Rachel with eyes full of wonder, as if seeing her for the first time. “How did you get to be so wise?”

Rachel smiled. “I’m not wise. I just know a thing or two about loss.” Her smile faded. “And about holding onto pain for too long. It’s like a poison - the only way to survive is to let it go, before it destroys you.”

Jaxon nodded. “I spent years telling myself I didn’t deserve to move on. That the only way to honor my sister’s memory was to stay mired in the past, crippled by guilt and regret.” His voice dropped. “Until I met you, and for the first time, I saw a future worth living for.”

Rachel’s heart swelled. She reached up and cradled Jaxon’s face in her hands. “The past can’t be changed,” she said. “But the future is ours to write. Together.”

Jaxon covered her hands with his own eyes shining with promise. “Together,” he echoed. And sealed it with a kiss.

Jaxon pulled back to look at her, eyes shining with emotion. “I don’t deserve you, Rachel. The things I’ve done...”

She reached up and cupped his face between her hands. “The past is behind us. All that matters now is the future we’re building together.”

He turned his head to press a kiss to her palm, the rough scrape of his beard igniting sparks along her skin. “You’re my light in the darkness. My angel.”

Rachel smiled, brushing her thumbs over his cheekbones. “And you’re mine. My fierce, beautiful man.”

Jaxon’s eyes darkened, pupils dilating with desire. He lowered his head and captured her mouth in a searing kiss, all heat and passion and tender reverence. Rachel melted into him, her heart overflowing with love for this complicated, wounded soul.

“I have a confession to make, too. The car accident that killed my mother...” Her voice trailed off, and she looked away.

“It’s okay,” Jaxon said gently. “You can tell me.”

Rachel met his gaze. “My parents were fighting because my father was drunk. He crashed the car on purpose, to spite my mother. And she died, just like that.”

A tear rolled down Rachel’s cheek. “Since then, I hated him for it. But holding onto that hate only made me miserable. I finally realized the only way to move on was to forgive him. Even though he doesn’t deserve it.”

Jaxon pulled Rachel close, cradling her head against his chest. “You’re amazing, you know that? You’ve been through hell, but you still have so much love and compassion in you.” He pressed a soft kiss to her hair. “Loving you is making me want to be a better man.”

Rachel smiled through her tears. “You already are a good man, Jaxon Jones. The best I’ve ever known.”

16

Jaxon drew Rachel into his arms, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “Ready for that bath now, baby?”

Rachel nodded, a flush of warmth spreading through her at the thought of sharing such an intimate moment. “Yes, I’d like that.”

Jaxon scooped her up into his arms, carrying her down the hall to the master bathroom. He set her on her feet, turning to start the water. Steam soon billowed up as he added her favorite lavender bath oil, the floral scent filling the room.

Rachel watched as Jaxon undressed, desire stirring anew at the sight of his powerful body. She still couldn’t quite believe he was hers now, to hold and cherish as she’d always longed to.

Jaxon slid into the oversized tub, holding out his hand. “Come here, beautiful.”

Rachel stepped into the tub, settling between his legs. The hot water enveloped her, soothing her pleasantly aching body. She sighed, leaning back against Jaxon’s chest.

Jaxon wrapped his arms around her, dropping a kiss on her shoulder. “Comfortable?”

“Very,” Rachel said. “This is nice.”

“It is.” Jaxon nuzzled her neck, his hands gliding over her stomach beneath the water. “Being here with you like this, it’s perfect.”

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