Page 59 of Bound By Obsession

“So, why are we here?” I clarify as we pull up beside the house we share. Huxley leaves the SUV half on the driveway at an angle, twisting in his seat.

“Because Garrett’s not the fucking boss of me,” Huxley states, stubbornness shining in his chocolate brown eyes. He unclips my seatbelt as an indication to follow him out of the carand through the front door, where he promptly smacks my ass. “Get changed, Swan. We’re going out.”

“Hux, it’s the first day back! We can’t ditch class already!” I laugh, smacking his arm lightly, but before I can say anything else, Huxley moves with a familiar, swift grace. In an instant, he sweeps me off my feet, spinning me around effortlessly. I squeal, my giggles bubbling out as he nuzzles my neck, his breath warm and teasing against my skin.

“We’re not ditching. I’ll have you back for English Lit at two-thirty,” he murmurs, voice low and playful, “and I don’t start until tomorrow. Wyatt just wanted to run some drills to get back into form.”

He sets me down gently, but his hands linger, sliding down to my waist. A shiver runs through me, the ache in my toes forgotten the moment his touch electrifies my skin. His fingers tighten slightly, as if he can’t bear to let me go, and I find myself leaning into him, wanting more.

“And you’re defying the big boss man for me?” I tease, batting my lashes and pressing a hand to my chest dramatically. “I’m flattered.” His smirk grows, eyes twinkling with mischief.

“You should be. I don’t make a habit of blowing off basketball for any old chick with daddy issues,” he says, and before I can protest, he’s tickling my ribs. I can’t help but writhe against him, my full belly laugh echoing around the entrance hall as I try to escape his relentless fingers.

“Huxley!” I gasp between laughs, swatting at him, but he just pulls me tighter against him, his playfulness melting into something warmer, deeper.

“I missed this side of you,” I whisper, as the laughter fades and the space between us closes. His forehead rests against mine, and the world narrows down to the feeling of his breath on my lips, his hands gripping me like he’s afraid to let go.

“Me too,” he murmurs, his voice quieter now, his brown gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my heart race. “You’re incredible, Avery. All of those whispers, the rumors—it’s all bullshit. They don’t know you like we do. They don’t see who you really are.”

My throat tightens, my heart swelling. I’d give him anything he wanted in that moment, absolutely anything. “I don’t care what they say,” I breathe, trembling slightly. “As long as I have you. All of you.”

Huxley’s lips curve into a slow, tender smile. “You always will,” he promises, his tone thick with emotion. “I’ll make sure of it.” Without another word, he leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss so soft it feels like a whisper against my soul.

Time stops. All the noise, the chaos, and the doubts vanish. All that remains is the steady rhythm of his heart against mine, the way his fingers curl into my waist, pulling me closer as if he’s afraid I might slip away. His mouth glides over mine sensually, every brush carefully placed to communicate the depths of emotion we’ve yet to speak. Deepening the kiss, Huxley’s tongue dips in to coil with mine, filling me with a need that matches my own, silently vowing to never let me go.

When we finally pull apart, breathless and dazed, Huxley’s eyes search mine, filled with a softness I’ve only ever seen when it’s just the two of us. “We shouldn’t waste any more time. I need to get you out of here before Garrett comes looking for you.”

I smile, nodding as he steps back, but his hand remains on my waist, unwilling to lose contact. As he guides me toward the stairs, I marvel at the man standing before me. The Huxley I fell for, the one who chases away my worst fears and holds me through my darkest nights. He’s back. After everything he’s been through, he’s struggled and suffered and found his way back to me.

Avery looks beautiful. Not just pretty in the way she always does, but softer, more relaxed. Her golden hair is pulled back, a few loose strands falling to frame her make-up free face as she reads the thick paperback in her hands. She’s opted for a cozy sweater that hangs off her shoulder, showing just a hint of what I know to be underneath. I tried to be a gentleman when escorting her into this tiny, corner café, but keeping my eyes off the roundness of her ass in those jeans was hard damn work. I deserve a medal for even attempting it.

We’ve found this spot on the edge of town, just far enough away from the campus crowds. The place smells like coffee and fresh pastries, our table tucked into the back with a simple pinecone ornament separating us. Avery is gently tapping her foot against my leg beneath the table, lost to her reading as sheabsentmindedly stirs sugar into her tea. I could watch her like this all day.

“Here we are,” an older woman arrives at our table with a plate in hand. Her gaze flicks back and forth between us, wondering where to put it until Avery snaps into action, moving the ornament aside and gesturing to the middle of the table. Once the plate has been placed, the woman hovers. “Are you sure that’s all I can get you? We have a range of sweet treats, all baked by myself.”

“They look delicious,” Avery agrees, glancing at the glass cabinet. “We’ll definitely take some to go but this will be great for now. I had a big breakfast,” she lies. She barely had time to grab a granola bar after Garrett spent all morning trying to convince her to climb back into his bed. Once we’re alone again, Avery’s warm smile turns back to me. “Eat whatever you can manage, I’ll have the rest.”

My gaze drifts down to the steak sandwich and fries that don’t look half as intimidating as they used to, and that’s because of her. Avery doesn’t push me, doesn’t make it into a big deal. And thankfully, she doesn’t watch, preferring to go back to her book. It was a tactful plan on her part, once I announced we were going out for lunch. I wanted to do this for her, to be like a normal couple without all the baggage we carry. More specifically, without the others breathing down our necks now we’re out of the safe house.

I do as asked, picking at the sandwich and fries until I’ve managed just under half. I was already semi-proud of myself, but when I push the plate towards Avery, her smile is everything.

“You did so good,” she says softly, her voice like music to my ears. That’s all I need. Quiet words of encouragement as she accepts the leftovers. My chest tightens, the kind of feeling that makes the air around me lighter. These last few months have been a slow, festering torment which I didn’t know existed. Aform of self-sabotage that was beyond reason, a type of pain I couldn’t explain. But with Avery, it’s different. She doesn’t treat me like I’m broken or like I need fixing. She just…gets it.

“Yeah, I guess I’m getting there, huh?” I rub at my nape, ducking my head. Her smile widens, and she reaches out, her fingers tracing the back of my hand in a slow, gentle motion.

“You’re more than getting there. You’re fighting and you’re winning.” Those blue eyes swallow me whole, so large and filled with purity. I feel like there’s more she wants to say, but she holds herself back. Baby steps and small wins. That’s where we’re at right now.

“I suppose I deserve a reward then,” I smirk, instantly causing Avery to perk up. She pops a French fry into her mouth, raising one slender eyebrow at me.

“I completely agree. What kind of reward did you have in mind?” Pushing the plate closer to her, I jerk my chin at the food.

“Eat up and you’ll find out.” Avery takes another fry, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she hands me the book. It’s another one from Dax’s extensive romance collection. I lean back in my chair, stretching my legs beneath the table and open to the bookmarked page, continuing where Avery has left off. I don’t need to know the premise since she’s apparently reached a sex scene that is enough to make even me blush. She giggles knowingly, watching me read and tilt my head, trying to visualize the tangle of limbs this particular mutant and ghost have gotten themselves in. Kinky.

Once she’s finished, we purchase some pastries as promised and take them to go, heading out of the café. The crisp air brushes against our cheeks, slicing straight through my leather jacket and ripped jeans. I take her hand in mine, guiding her down the street until we come upon a nail salon near the parked SUV. Avery gives me a side-eye, but doesn’t ask anything. She trusts me, and I love that.

Stepping inside, warmth instantly wraps around us, the scent of lavender and citrus circulating. The decor has been geared towards creating a space for relaxation, the back wall covered in fake grass with an LED sign displaying the salon’s name - ‘Nailed It’. A few women are scattered on plush chairs, having their nails done whilst serene music plays in the background.

“Can I help you?” the receptionist asks, her eyes lingering too long on my body to be considered friendly. I doubt they get many men in here, especially ones over six-foot and clearly athletic.

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