Page 4 of Jaxon

There was a part of her, the part that still remembered the heat between them, that wanted to step forward, let him hold her, take the burden away.God, they’d been so good together, in and out of bed.She remembered how solid he felt, the demanding press of his mouth on hers.The possessive way he held her, the way he looked at her, like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.But another part of her—the part that had learned to protect herself—wanted to shut it all down before it even started.

“Jaxon,” she replied, her voice a little too sharp, though she couldn’t help it.

He had a way of making her feel exposed, like he could strip her of all the layers she’d carefully wrapped around herself.She ran a hand through her hair, glancing at the car and then back at him, feeling the weight of the silence stretching between them.

“Car’s dead,” she added, the words coming out too casually, but she had no idea how else to fill the space.

Jaxon’s brow furrowed as he glanced at her car, then back to her.“Mind if I take a look?”

She hesitated.She had never wanted to need help, especially not from Jaxon.Not after everything.But something in his expression—the softness beneath his usual ruggedness—made her heart twist.

She knew he wasn’t offering out of obligation.He had always been like that, protective in a way that made her feel both safe and uncomfortable.But letting him help?Letting him back into her life?

“It’s fine,” she said, her words tight, and she forced a smile she didn’t feel.“I was just about to walk home.”

Jaxon raised an eyebrow, his stance widening as he looked at her with that unwavering intensity.“In those shoes?”he asked, his voice dry but amused.

Harper glanced down at her sandals, suddenly acutely aware of how impractical they were for a walk.

“I can manage,” she said, her voice more clipped than she intended.She tried to walk past him, but the movement felt stiff, like her body was betraying her.

“Harper,” Jaxon’s voice was firm now.

He dismounted then stepped in front of her, blocking her path.He searched her face like he was trying to decipher a puzzle.Harper was being ridiculous and she knew it.

“Let me take a look,” he repeated.

After taking a deep breath, she relented.“Sure, if you want.I’m not sure what’s wrong.”

Jaxon moved to the front of the car and peered under the hood, his hands deftly checking connections and wires.Harper couldn’t help but watch him, the way he moved with purpose, his focus entirely on the task at hand.

“Looks like a dead battery,” he said after a few minutes, wiping his hands on his jeans.“I’ve got jumper cables at the clubhouse, but it’s a bit of a ride.I can give you a lift, or I can call someone to help.”

Harper’s first instinct was to refuse.The idea of being so close to Jaxon again, of sharing that space, was overwhelming.But the alternative—walking home—was honestly less appealing.And besides, Mia and the babysitter she hired were waiting for her.

Harper also knew deep down that she had to face this sooner or later.

“A lift would be great,” she said, forcing a smile.

Jaxon nodded, a small, almost relieved smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.He grabbed a spare helmet from the back of his bike and handed it to her.

Harper slipped it on, feeling an odd mix of anticipation and dread.She climbed on behind him, her hands hesitating before she placed them on his waist.

The moment they made contact, a spark of familiarity jolted through her.His solid back felt so warm.It had been years since she’d been this close to him, yet it felt as if no time had passed.

The bike roared to life beneath them, and Harper tightened her grip as they pulled onto the road.The wind rushed past her, whipping her hair out from under the helmet.

She focused on the rhythm of the ride, the steady pulse of the engine, and the warmth of Jaxon in front of her.The tension between them crackled in the air, unspoken but undeniable.

****

When they arrived atthe clubhouse, Jaxon parked the bike and helped her off.She removed the helmet, smoothing her hair back into place.The silence stretched between them, filled with all the things neither of them was ready to say.

“I’ll grab the cables,” Jaxon said, breaking the tension.

Harper watched Jaxon disappear inside the clubhouse, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.This was the closest they’d been in years, and it was stirring up feelings she had spent so much time trying to suppress.Every glance, every word exchanged brought back memories she wasn’t sure she was ready to face.

She had always intended to tell Jaxon about Mia, but each time the opportunity arose, fear held her back.What if he reacted badly?What if he wanted nothing to do with them?The weight of that secret had grown heavier with each passing day, pressing on her like a physical burden.

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