Sienna

After the parking lot showdown, I thought Jaxon would take me straight home and lecture me until my ears fell off.

Instead, when we reached his car, he squeezed my hand and said gently,

“Let me take you out. Just us. You need a break.”

A break.

tGod. I needed about five.

I nodded, and he opened the passenger door for me like the gentleman he pretends not to be.

As he drove, his thumb brushed slow circles over my hand resting on his thigh — soft, protective, quiet.

“Where ...