The storm outside had turned fierce, the wind howling through the narrow streets of Manhattan as rain lashed against the windows of Jaxon's penthouse. Inside, the atmosphere was no less turbulent. The revelations of the past few hours had shaken Ava to her core, but they had also lit a fire within her a determination to take control of the situation and protect everything she had worked so hard to build.
She and Jaxon had spent the evening strategizing, mapping out every possible move they could make to dismantle Richard's plans and secure the merger. The intensity of their focus had been a welcome distraction from the emotions simmering just beneath the surface, but now, with their plans in place and the storm raging outside, those emotions were impossible to ignore.
Ava stood by the large windows, watching as the city was swallowed by the downpour, her mind racing with thoughts of what was to come. The feeling of Jaxon's presence at her back was comforting, yet it also sent a thrill through her, a reminder of the undeniable connection they shared. They were partners now, not just in business, but in something deeper, more primal.
"Ava," Jaxon's voice was low, a husky murmur that sent shivers down her spine. She turned to find him standing just a few steps behind her, his eyes dark with a mixture of concern and desire. "Are you okay?"
Ava's breath caught at the sight of him. Even in the dim light of the stormy night, he was mesmerizing, his presence filling the room with a magnetic energy that pulled her to him. She could see the tension in his posture, the worry etched into his features, and it touched something deep inside her.
"I'm fine," she replied, her voice softer than she intended. "Just trying to process everything."
Jaxon moved closer, his hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek, his thumb brushing over her skin in a gesture that was both tender and possessive. "You don't have to do it alone," he murmured. "I'm here with you. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
The sincerity in his voice, the intensity of his gaze, made Ava's heart ache with a longing she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years. She had spent so long being strong, being independent, that the idea of letting someone in, of sharing the burden with someone she could trust was both terrifying and exhilarating.
For a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in his touch, in the warmth of his hand against her skin, the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingertips. She could feel the tension between them, the unspoken desire that had been building since the moment they met, and it was growing harder and harder to resist.
"Jaxon," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and longing. "I don't know if I can do this."
Jaxon's eyes softened, his thumb continuing its gentle caress. "You don't have to decide anything right now," he said, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. "But I want you to know that I'm all in, Ava. Whatever you need, whatever you want, I'm here."
Ava's breath hitched at his words, the weight of them settling over her like a warm blanket. She had never expected to find someone like Jaxon someone who understood her, who challenged her, who made her feel things she had long since buried. And now that he was here, offering her everything she had never dared to hope for, she didn't know how to respond.
But as she looked into his eyes, saw the depth of emotion there, something inside her shifted. The walls she had built around herself, the barriers she had put up to protect her heart, began to crack. She was tired of being alone, tired of carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. And here, in Jaxon's arms, she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time: safety.
With a shaky breath, Ava stepped closer, her hands sliding up to rest against Jaxon's chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath. "I'm scared," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm scared of what this means, of what could happen if I let myself feel this."
Jaxon's hand moved to the back of her neck, pulling her closer until their foreheads touched. "I'm scared too," he confessed, his voice raw with honesty. "But I'd rather face that fear with you than walk away from something that could be incredible."
Ava's heart pounded in her chest, the intensity of the moment overwhelming. She could feel the heat of his body, the tension in his muscles, and it only made her want him more. The storm outside raged on, the wind howling like a beast, but here, in Jaxon's arms, Ava felt a different kind of storm building,a storm of passion, of desire, of need.
Without another word, she closed the distance between them, her lips finding his in a kiss that was slow and deliberate, a promise of what was to come. Jaxon responded instantly, his arms wrapping around her as he deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing hers in a dance that sent shivers down her spine.
The kiss was unlike any they had shared before less hurried, more meaningful, as if they were both taking the time to savor the moment, to imprint it on their memories. Ava's hands slid up into his hair, pulling him closer as the kiss intensified, the heat between them building with every passing second.
Jaxon's hands roamed her body, tracing the curves of her waist, the dip of her spine, as if he couldn't get enough of her. Ava moaned softly into his mouth, her body arching into his touch, craving more of the heat, more of the intensity. She had never felt so alive, so aware of every sensation, every touch, and it was intoxicating.
Breaking the kiss, Jaxon trailed his lips down her neck, his breath hot against her skin as he murmured her name like a prayer. Ava's head fell back, her eyes fluttering shut as she surrendered to the moment, to the feelings she had been denying for so long.
Jaxon's hands slid under the hem of her shirt, his fingers tracing the smooth skin of her stomach before slowly pushing the fabric up, revealing more of her to his hungry gaze. Ava shivered at the sensation, her hands gripping his shoulders as she allowed herself to be lost in the pleasure, in the way he made her feel.
"God, you're beautiful," Jaxon whispered against her skin, his voice thick with desire as he kissed a path down her chest, his hands sliding up to cup her breasts, his thumbs brushing over her hardened nipples.
Ava gasped at the sensation, her body arching into his touch, her mind spinning with the intensity of it all. She had always been in control, always the one to dictate the pace, but with Jaxon, she found herself wanting to let go, to surrender to the pleasure he offered without reservation.
"Jaxon," she breathed, her voice trembling with need. "Please…"
The simple word was all it took to ignite the fire in Jaxon's eyes. With a growl of desire, he lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the sleek, modern bed that dominated the room. Ava's heart raced as he laid her down, his hands and lips never leaving her body as he stripped away the barriers between them, leaving her bare and exposed to his gaze.
But instead of feeling vulnerable, Ava felt empowered, the look of awe in Jaxon's eyes making her feel like the most desirable woman in the world. He took his time, his hands and mouth worshiping every inch of her, drawing out the pleasure until she was trembling with need, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
When he finally joined her on the bed, his body pressing against hers, Ava felt a surge of anticipation that made her pulse quicken. This was it the moment she had been both dreading and craving since the day they met. And now that it was here, she was ready to let go, to give herself to him completely.
Jaxon kissed her deeply, his hands sliding down her body as he positioned himself between her thighs, his touch firm and reassuring as he guided them both to the edge. Ava's heart pounded in her chest, her breath hitching as he slowly pushed inside her, filling her completely.
The sensation was overwhelming, a mix of pleasure and emotion that made her gasp, her hands clutching at his shoulders as she clung to him, anchoring herself in the storm of feelings that threatened to consume her. Jaxon moved slowly, his gaze never leaving hers as he set a rhythm that was both deliberate and intense, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through her body.
Ava's mind spun, the pleasure building with every movement, every touch, until she was teetering on the edge, her body trembling with the effort to hold on. But when Jaxon leaned down to capture her lips in another searing kiss, the last of her control shattered, and she fell over the edge, her release crashing over her like a tidal wave.
Jaxon followed her over the brink, his body tensing as he found his own release, his grip on her tightening as he rode out the pleasure with her. For a long moment, they stayed like that, their bodies entwined, their breath mingling in the aftermath of their shared passion.
When the storm of sensations finally subsided, Jaxon collapsed beside her, pulling her into his arms as they lay together, their hearts slowly returning to a normal rhythm. Ava's mind was still spinning, the reality of what had just happened sinking in, but as she lay there, wrapped in Jaxon's arms, she felt an overwhelming sense of peace. The storm outside had lessened to a gentle rain, the sound of it tapping against the windows a soothing backdrop to the intensity that had just passed between them.
Jaxon's hand stroked her back gently, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her skin. For a long time, neither of them spoke, the silence filled with the unspoken understanding that something significant had shifted between them. Ava knew that this wasn't just about the physical connection they had shared, this was about trust, about vulnerability, about letting someone in despite all the walls she had built.
When Jaxon finally spoke, his voice was soft, almost reverent. "I didn't know it could feel like this," he admitted, his words laced with something that sounded like awe. "With you, Ava… it's different. It's real."
Ava's heart swelled at his words, a warmth spreading through her that she hadn't felt in a long time. She knew exactly what he meant. She had been with other men before, had felt attraction and desire, but what she felt with Jaxon was more than that. It was deeper, more intense, something that resonated with her on a level she hadn't expected.
"It is real," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "That's what scares me."
Jaxon's grip on her tightened, as if he could protect her from the fears that plagued her. "I'm scared too," he confessed. "But I'm not going anywhere, Ava. Whatever this is, I'm all in."
Ava looked up at him, her eyes searching his for any sign of doubt, but all she saw was determination. Jaxon wasn't just saying the words he meant them. He was willing to stand by her, to face whatever challenges lay ahead, and that knowledge filled her with a sense of hope she hadn't felt in years.
"I want to trust that," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I want to trust you."
Jaxon's hand cupped her face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear that had escaped. "You can," he assured her, his voice steady. "We'll take this one step at a time, no rush. But I promise you, Ava, I'm here for the long haul."
Ava nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. She knew that trust wasn't something that could be given lightly it had to be earned, built over time. But with Jaxon, she felt like she was finally ready to take that leap, to let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, she had found someone she could rely on.
They lay together in comfortable silence, the weight of the evening's revelations pressing down on them, but also a sense of newfound clarity. Ava knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy. They still had to deal with the threat Richard posed, still had to navigate the complexities of their professional relationship, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn't facing it alone.
Jaxon's fingers continued their soothing strokes on her back, lulling her into a state of calm. But as much as she wanted to stay in this moment, reality was beginning to creep back in. The challenges they faced hadn't disappeared they were still out there, waiting to be dealt with.
"We should get some rest," Ava murmured, though she made no move to leave his embrace.
Jaxon nodded, though his arms tightened around her as if he didn't want to let go. "We have a lot to do tomorrow," he agreed. "But right now, I just want to hold you."
Ava's heart skipped a beat at his words, a warm flush spreading through her. It was a simple statement, but it meant more to her than she could express. She had spent so much of her life being strong, being independent, but in Jaxon's arms, she felt like she could finally let go, even if just for a little while.
"Then hold me," she whispered, her voice filled with a vulnerability she hadn't allowed herself to show in years.
Jaxon's grip on her tightened, and he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his breath warm against her skin. "Always," he promised.
Ava closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the warmth of his embrace, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulling her into a state of peace. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new obstacles to overcome, but for now, she allowed herself to simply be, to feel the weight of his arms around her, the strength of his presence beside her.
As sleep began to pull her under, Ava couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, she had found something worth holding onto. And as long as Jaxon was by her side, she was ready to face whatever came next.