Aneira stepped into the room, her hair still damp and clinging to her neck. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Jaxton sitting on the bed, leaning back with his elbows resting casually on the plush duvet. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, exposing the faint outline of his collarbone, and his dark hair looked slightly ruffled. He glanced up at her, his deep blue eyes narrowing slightly as a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
She hesitated, her gaze darting towards the bed.
Are we really going to share the same bed tonight?
The thought made her stomach tighten with nervousness. She shifted awkwardly, unsure of what to do next.
Jaxton noticed her hesitation and tilted his head slightly, studying her. "Do you need help?" he asked, his voice soft but steady.
"With what?" Her voice came out barely above a whisper, betraying her unease.
He stood and began walking toward her, his tall frame casting a shadow over the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Instinctively, Aneira took a step back, her body stiffening.
"Relax," he said, stopping in front of her but keeping a comfortable distance. "I just want to help you with your hair. I won't touch you. I promise."
His words eased her tension, though not entirely. She gave a hesitant nod and watched as he grabbed a hairdryer from the dresser. He motioned for her to sit on the small vanity stool by the mirror. Slowly, she obeyed, lowering herself into the seat.
The hum of the hairdryer filled the room as Jaxton turned it on, the warm air brushing against her scalp. She flinched slightly at the heat, but before she could pull away, his hand paused.
"Did I hurt you?" His voice was filled with genuine concern as his eyes searched hers.
"No, I'm fine," she replied quickly, her cheeks warming.
His long, slender fingers combed through her damp strands as he worked, the touch surprisingly gentle. Each pass of his hand sent a shiver down her spine, and she curled her toes to stop herself from reacting too visibly. Her heart raced, and she closed her eyes tightly, wishing he would finish soon.
After what felt like an eternity, the dryer clicked off, and Jaxton stepped back. "All done," he said, placing the dryer neatly on the dresser.
"Thank you," Aneira murmured, standing and moving quickly toward the bed. She pulled back the covers and slid under them, turning to face the wall. She didn't want him to see her flushed face or the way her hands were trembling slightly from the closeness they had just shared.
Jaxton watched her for a moment before he walked to the other side of the bed. He climbed in beside her, his movements slow and deliberate. He reached out and gently adjusted the blanket, tucking it securely around her.
"You'll catch a cold if you don't stay warm," he murmured, his voice low and soothing.
Aneira didn't respond. She pretended to have fallen asleep, her breathing slow and steady. Jaxton lingered for a moment, his gaze soft as he studied her. Then, with a quiet sigh, he slipped out of bed and left the room, the door clicking softly behind him.
Once the room was silent, Aneira opened her eyes. She stared at the dim ceiling, her mind racing.
Where had he gone?
For a brief moment, she thought about following him, but the thought of being alone with him again made her stomach twist.
Instead, she let out a shaky breath and stayed where she was. The relief of his absence settled over her, though a small part of her wondered why she felt safer with him gone, even though he had been nothing but gentle and kind to her so far.
—
The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, nudging Aneira out of her sleep. She frowned, shifting uncomfortably as the light warmed her face. Finally, she opened her eyes, blinking a few times before sitting up. She looked around, disoriented for a moment, and then turned to glance at the empty spot beside her.
Jaxton wasn't there.
Had he even slept here last night?
She reached for her phone on the nightstand and checked the time.
"8… Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, throwing the covers off and leaping out of bed. "Why did I sleep for so long?"
Muttering to herself, she dashed into the bathroom to freshen up and take a quick shower.
—
Aneira walked down the staircase, her hair still damp from the shower, and paused when she entered the living room. The sight before her was unexpected. Several people were bustling around, bringing in furniture and decorations while others rearranged items in the house. A vase filled with fresh roses was being carefully placed on the coffee table, and new curtains were being hung near the tall windows.
She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, her brows furrowed in confusion as she tried to make sense of what was happening.
"Uh—" she started, moving toward a woman carrying a box.
"Aneira?"
The familiar deep voice made her stop. She turned to see Jaxton stepping out of the kitchen, holding a cup of coffee in one hand. Her breath caught for a moment.
He was dressed casually but still managed to look effortlessly handsome. His black t-shirt hugged his broad chest and muscular arms, while his dark jeans hung perfectly on his lean frame. The slight scruff on his jaw and his tousled hair gave him a rugged edge that made it impossible for her to look away.
Aneira's throat went dry. She gulped, realizing how intently she'd been staring at him. Quickly, she averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing.
Jaxton chuckled softly, the sound warm and amused. "You're awake."
"Yeah," she murmured, lowering her eyes as she rubbed the back of her ear nervously.
He took a few steps closer, his blue eyes studying her face. "I hope these people aren't disturbing you."
"No, not at all," she replied quickly, shaking her head.
Jaxton smiled, a small, knowing curve of his lips. "I wanted to ask if you're happy with the interior. If there's anything you don't like, we can change it."
"What?" Aneira's eyes widened in shock. "Change it? No, everything looks perfect!"
His gaze softened, and he took another step closer, closing the distance between them. "Aneira," he said gently, "this is your house now. You're free to do whatever you want with it. If there's something that doesn't suit your taste, just say the word."
For a moment, she was speechless, staring up at him. The way he said "your house" made her heart flutter in a way she couldn't quite explain.
"I… I think it's fine," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jaxton's lips twitched, but he didn't push further. Instead, he handed her the cup of coffee he'd been holding. "Here. You might need this to start the day."
Aneira hesitated before accepting it, her fingers brushing against his briefly. "Thank you."
He nodded and turned to leave, but before he could take a step, Aneira reached out and gently touched his arm. "Wait," she said softly. "I… I want to speak with you for a moment."