The Way He Claimed Her

Savannah Carter, 18
New to campus, focused on her future-not love. Guarded and done with drama.

Jaxon Reed
Popular heartbreaker, not used to rejection. Until he meets the one girl who won't fall for his charm.

She wants a fresh start.
He wants a challenge.
Neither expected the other.

"You should leave," I whispered, breath catching.

His fingers were already brushing my jaw-light, deliberate, like he was testing how far I'd let him go.

"Should," he murmured, "but I won't."

Jaxon's eyes were dark-half-shadow, half-fire. He stepped in close-so close I could feel the heat of his body before he even touched me.

"I told myself I wouldn't do this," he said, his voice rough, "not with you."

"Then don't."

But even I didn't believe the tremble in my voice.

He leaned in-lips grazing just below my ear. Not a kiss. A promise.

"You smell like something I'll never get enough of."

His hands slid to my waist, slow and unhurried. Like he had all the time in the world to ruin me.

I should've stopped him.
But his breath was on my neck now.
And my hands weren't pushing him away.
They were pulling him closer.