Jason
I sat on the edge of the hospital bed, rolling up my sleeve, my mind somewhere else entirely. After a fresh shower, I felt no pain at all. I was even ready for work.
I had been cleared for discharge but I wasn't in a rush to leave. Not yet. Because I was waiting for Janica and the boys.
Janica had turned my world on its head without even trying.
I had woken up this morning with only one thought. I wanted to see her.
I had texted her, my heart racing in a way that both irritated and excited me.
And now, all I could do was wait.
I drummed my fingers against my knee, glancing at the clock on the wall. Who would walk through that door first?
If it was Ash and the boys, I'd get an earful of jokes before I even stood up. If it was Janica…
I exhaled slowly. If it was Janica, I wasn't sure what would happen.
All I knew was that I needed to see her.
I ran a hand through my hair, my patience running thin. The longer I sat here, the more restless I became.
Then, just as I was about to stand, something changed.
The air shifted.
I felt it before I even turned my head.
A presence. A familiarity that sent heat curling in my chest.
I turned slowly, my eyes locking onto the doorway.
She stood there, framed by the hospital light, her silhouette sending a rush of something sharp and undeniable through me.
A slow, knowing smile tugged at my lips.
"Come here."
Her breath hitched just slightly but she didn't hesitate.
She walked toward me, slow and steady, her heels clicking against the floor. And the moment she was close enough, I reached for her, pulling her into my arms.
She melted into me, her arms slipping around my waist as I buried my face in her hair, inhaling the soft scent of lavender.
Damn. I needed this.
I hadn't realized how much until now. Until she was right here, pressed against me, her warmth seeping into my skin.
For a long moment, we just stood there, wrapped up in each other, the rest of the world fading into nothing.
I felt her exhale, her fingers gripping the fabric of my shirt.
"I missed you," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
I closed my eyes, holding her tighter.
"You have no idea."
I reluctantly loosened my hold on her, but even as I pulled back, my hands found her waist, keeping her close.
Her eyes searched mine for a second before she gave me a small smile and guided me toward the bed. I let her. I sat besides her our knees barely touching. She tilted her head slightly, studying me. "How are you feeling?"
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. "Better." My fingers absentmindedly traced patterns on my knee. "Still a little sore, but nothing I can't handle."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and I could see the worry lingering in her eyes.
"Are you sure?" she asked softly.
I turned to her fully, reaching for her hand. "I promise. I'm fine."
She let out a small breath, nodding, but I could tell she wasn't completely convinced. I squeezed her fingers gently, letting my thumb graze over her skin.
"Hey," I murmured. "I'm still here, aren't I?"
Her gaze softened, her fingers tightening around mine. "Yeah… you are."
Her cheeks flushed, and she rolled her eyes, but I saw the way her lips twitched.
"Jason," she huffed, but there was no real annoyance in her voice just something warm, something dangerous.
I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping lower. "What? Just stating the truth."
She shook her head, but I could see the way her breath caught.
Yeah. I was getting to her.
Janica
I tried to ignore the way my pulse quickened as Jason leaned in, his voice dripping with something that sent heat straight through me.
His eyes—God, his eyes.
Dark. Intense. Locked onto me like I was the only thing in the room that mattered.
I swallowed, pulling my hand back, needing even a sliver of space to collect myself. "You're impossible," I muttered.
Jason just smirked, clearly enjoying the way he was affecting me. "And you like it."
I gave him a pointed look, refusing to entertain that. "You should be focused on getting better."
"Oh, I am." His smirk deepened. "And you being here is definitely helping."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop the way my lips curled slightly.
There was something about him, something so effortless in the way he spoke, the way he pulled me in.
I exhaled, shaking my head. "Fine. Since you're clearly well enough to flirt, I assume you're ready to leave?"
Jason stretched slightly, testing his movements before nodding. "Yeah."
I glanced toward the door. "Are the boys coming?"
He let out a small chuckle. "They said they would, but…" He shrugged. "Looks like you beat them to it."
Something warm settled in my chest at that. I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. I'd beaten them. Jason had said so himself. And for some reason, that felt really good. I wanted to be somebody Jason could see first. Every time.
Right on cue, the door swung open, and Ash strolled in with Jone and Aaron behind him.
"Wow," Jone drawled, glancing between us. "Bad timing, huh?"
"Always," Jason teased, shaking his head. "You guys have the worst timing."
Ash snorted. "Or the best. Depends on how you look at it."
I smiled, watching them banter so effortlessly. There was something comforting about it, something that made it clear this wasn't just friendship. It was family.
Jason rubbed the back of his neck. "You guys done?
Aaron crossed his arms, tilting his head. "I don't know, man. I think we kind of like seeing you like this." His gaze flicked to me, amused. "Tamed."
Jason arched a brow. "Tamed?"
Ash held up his hands. "Hey, Aaron said it, not me."
I felt heat crawl up my neck but refused to let them get to me. Instead, I crossed my arms and raised a brow at Jason. "Ready to leave?"
His lips twitched. "Let's go before they start planning my wedding."
Jone snapped his fingers. "Damn, there goes my speech."
Laughter filled the room as Jason grabbed his jacket, moving with ease. I reached out, not because he needed support, but because I wanted to. His fingers brushed over mine, warm and steady a second, just enough to send a current through me. He didn't pull away immediately, and neither did I.
And from the way his grip lingered, I knew he felt it too.
We stepped out of the hospital, the warm afternoon air wrapping around us. Jason adjusted his jacket, moving carefully, and I stayed close just in case he needed support.
Ash and Jone led the way to a small restaurant just down the street. It was a quiet spot, the kind of place that smelled like freshly cooked meals and home.
We settled into a corner table, the easy comfort of the group making the space feel even cozier. The waiter took our orders quickly, and soon, steaming plates of chips and chicken were placed in front of us.
Jason caught my eye as I picked at my food. "You okay?" he asked softly. I nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah."
He smiled back, slow and knowing.
The conversation around us flowed effortlessly, laughter blending with the clinking of utensils. For a moment, everything felt simple, like this was exactly where we were meant to be.
When we finished eating, Jason set his fork down and stretched slightly. "I think we'll head out now."
Aaron nodded. "Alright. We've got some things to handle anyway."
Jone grinned but didn't say anything. Aaron just smirked. "Get home safe, you two."
Jason and I stepped outside, the afternoon air warm against my skin. He hailed a cab and we slid into the backseat.
Neither of us said anything.
The cab slowed to a stop in front of Jason's building, and as I stepped out, I took in the sight before me.
The place was nothing short of impressive. Tall and sleek, with a glass façade that reflected the city lights. Soft, warm lighting framed the entrance, giving it an understated elegance.
The lobby was spacious and elegantly simple—polished marble floors, high ceilings, and plush seating in quiet corners. A soft floral scent lingered in the air, adding to its exclusivity.
Jason swiped his key card at the elevator. As we ascended, he leaned against the railing, silent and unreadable.
On his floor, he led me down a quiet hallway to a sleek, dark-wood door. Inside, his apartment was refined yet inviting—deep gray sofas, a glass coffee table, and floor to ceiling windows framing the city skyline. Soft lighting cast a warm glow, making the space feel both sophisticated and intentional.
The living room was spacious yet cozy, blending sophistication with comfort. Floor to ceiling windows stretched across one side, offering a breathtaking view of the city skyline. A few books and magazine were arranged on the table, and a large, abstract painting hung on the wall, adding a personal touch.
Soft lighting cast a warm glow, highlighting the details of the space. It was the kind of place that didn't just look good. It felt intentional, like every piece belonged.
I stepped further into the room, letting my finger graze the soft fabric of the deep gray sofa before sitting down. The place felt effortless refined like every piece had been chosen with intentions.
Jason handed me the glass of juice, and I took it with a small nod. He didn't say anything, just watched as I took a sip. The cold, citrusy taste was refreshing.
He moved around the coffee table and sat beside me on the couch, the space between us minimal but noticeable.
I kept my gaze on the glass in my hands, aware of his presence beside me. The warmth of him, the quiet weight of the moment. It was enough to make my pulse quicken.
Jason
I watched her from the corner of my eye. The city lights flickered against her skin, making her seem almost unreal. I wasn't sure what it was about her. Maybe the way she carried herself, or the way she didn't try to fill every quiet moment with words. Either way, she had a presence that was impossible to ignore.
I shifted slightly, my knee brushing against hers. If she noticed, she didn't move away.
I exhaled slowly, letting my head rest against the couch. I hadn't planned for today to go like this. Hell, three weeks ago, I hadn't even met her. And now, here she was, sitting next to me in my apartment, fitting into my space like she belonged there.
I didn't say anything.
I didn't need to.
I shifted slightly, and my knee brushed against hers again, more intentional this time. She didn't pull away. Instead, she let out the smallest breath, so quiet I almost missed it.
Slowly, I turned to face her. She was still holding the glass, but her grip had tightened just a little. Her gaze flickered up to meet mine, and in that moment, the air felt heavier like we were both standing on the edge of something we weren't sure we should fall into.
I reached out before I could stop myself. My fingers found her wrist, tracing a slow path over her skin, feeling the faint pulse beneath my touch. She shivered so slight, so brief, but
I caught it.
Her lips parted slightly, like she wanted to say something, but no words came.
I took the glass from her hand and set it aside. My thumb brushed against her palm, and I felt her exhale, shaky and unsure.
"Janica…" My voice was lower than I intended.
She swallowed, her gaze locked onto mine.
And that was it. That was all it took.
I lifted a hand to her face, my fingers grazing her cheek, sliding into her hair. She didn't pull away. If anything, she leaned in, just slightly, just enough to make my breath hitch.
I wasn't supposed to feel like this. Not this fast, not this deep. But she had this way of getting under my skin, of making me lose track of everything else.
I let my forehead rest against hers, closing my eyes for a second, trying to steady myself. "I don't know what this is," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "But it's messing with me."
She didn't move, didn't pull away. Instead, she reached up, her fingers sliding over my wrist, holding me there like she didn't want me to let go.
Her fingers tightened around my wrist, her touch featherlight yet grounding. I could feel her breath against my lips, warm, uneven. I wasn't sure if it was mine or hers.
I should've pulled back. Should've given myself a second to think. But with her this close, with her looking at me like that, I couldn't.
My fingers curled around the nape of her neck, drawing her in until there was nothing left between us but air, and even that felt too much.
Her hand slid up my arm, her nails grazing my skin, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. My jaw clenched as a slow exhale left me.
"I don't do this," I murmured, my lips barely brushing hers.
She searched my eyes, her own filled with something I couldn't name. "Do what?"
I swallowed hard, my thumb tracing the edge of her jaw. "Feel like this."
Her breath hitched. For a second, she looked like she was going to say something, but instead, she just nodded slowly, like she understood something neither of us could put into words.
And then, finally, she closed the last bit of space between us.
Her lips met mine, hesitant at first, as if she was waiting for me to stop her. But I didn't.
I couldn't.
A slow, deep ache unfurled inside me as I pulled her closer, tasting the sweetness of the juice she'd just had, mixed with something purely her. The kiss was soft, almost cautious, but it didn't stay that way for long.
The moment her fingers curled into my shirt, a quiet sound escaping her throat, something in me snapped.
I deepened the kiss, my other hand slipping around her waist, pressing her closer. She let me, melted into me like she'd been waiting for this just as much as I had.