Chloe hadn't planned on meeting Jax that night. In fact, she had planned to stay home, curl up with a book, and avoid thinking about the chaos swirling around her. But, as the universe seemed to always do, it had other plans for her.

It was a quiet evening when she stepped out onto the porch of her house, a cool breeze rustling the leaves of the trees around her. The world felt suspended, as if time had slowed just enough for her to pause and take in everything that had happened in the last few weeks. Her family, her job, her life in Charming—it had all been turned upside down, but it was Jax who had made the biggest impact.

She hadn't heard from him for a couple of days. At first, it had been a relief, a brief moment where she could breathe, make sense of everything without the intensity of his presence clouding her thoughts. But now, standing there, feeling the quiet pressure in her chest, she realized she missed him.

She missed the way he made her feel—alive, seen, and at the same time, completely lost.

And before she could fully process what was happening, the familiar sound of a motorcycle broke through her thoughts. Her pulse immediately quickened. She knew who it was before she even turned around.

Jax's bike rumbled to a stop just outside her driveway. The low growl of the engine silenced the evening air, and for a long moment, the only sound was the steady thrum of her heartbeat.

She stood still, her breath caught in her throat, watching as Jax climbed off the bike. He was wearing his usual black leather vest, his tattoos visible beneath the sleeves of his shirt. He didn't walk toward her immediately, instead taking a moment to glance around the quiet street, as if making sure no one was watching.

Chloe took a tentative step forward, the words she'd been holding onto for so long finally beginning to spill out, without her permission.

"Jax," she called softly, her voice trembling slightly. He turned, his gaze locking with hers.

"Chloe," he replied, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He didn't move right away, his eyes scanning her face, as if looking for something. She could feel the weight of his attention, heavy and yet comforting.

She didn't wait for him to speak first. She took a deep breath and stepped toward him. "I don't know how to do this, Jax," she admitted, the words leaving her mouth before she could stop them. "I don't know how to walk away from everything I've known. But I'm tired of pretending it doesn't matter."

Jax's expression softened, his eyes steady and full of understanding. "You don't have to walk away, Chloe. But you can't keep running either." His voice was low, earnest. He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming her in a way she couldn't escape.

"I've been trying to figure out where I fit," Chloe whispered, her voice shaking. "My family... my job... they've always told me what I'm supposed to be. But now, I don't know who I am anymore."

Jax closed the distance between them, standing close enough for Chloe to feel the heat of his body. "You don't have to have it all figured out. Just... stop running from what's real."

Her breath caught as she looked up at him, her chest tight. She had spent so much time trying to be everything everyone else needed her to be. But standing here with him, with the weight of his words, she realized she couldn't keep pretending anymore.

For the first time, Chloe felt the weight of her choices. She had spent so long avoiding what she felt, afraid of the consequences, afraid of letting go of her perfect little world. But maybe, just maybe, it was time to let go.

Without thinking, she reached out, her hand brushing his arm. The touch was light, tentative, but it was enough. It sent a wave of electricity through her, and when her eyes met his, there was no more pretending.

"I'm scared," she whispered, the vulnerability in her voice cutting through the night air.

"I know you are," Jax replied softly, his hand reaching up to gently cup her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin in a way that made her heart race. "But I'm here, Chloe. I won't let you fall."

Chloe closed her eyes, feeling his touch stir something deep inside her. She wanted to trust him, wanted to give in to this connection between them, but there was still a part of her that hesitated. But she didn't have to think about it anymore.

The moment felt like it stretched on forever, the quiet of the night surrounding them. She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze again, and in that moment, everything else faded away.

"I want this," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jax didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes said everything. He leaned in slowly, his breath warm against her lips, and when their lips finally met, it felt like the world shifted.

The kiss was slow at first, hesitant, as if they were both testing the waters, unsure of how deep this would go. But soon, the hesitation melted away, and the kiss deepened, hungry and full of the emotions that had been building between them. Chloe felt herself giving in, the walls she had built around her heart crumbling with every passing second.

She wasn't sure what would happen next, where this would lead them, but in that moment, it didn't matter.

All that mattered was the connection, the pull between them, and the kiss that sealed it all—finally, completely.

When they pulled away, Chloe's breath was ragged, her heart racing in her chest. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face, the warmth in her chest that hadn't been there before.

Jax's eyes searched hers, and for the first time, there was no hesitation in his voice. "You don't have to be afraid anymore, Chloe," he said quietly. "This is real."

Chloe nodded, her heart still racing, but this time, it wasn't out of fear. It was out of something deeper. Something that told her this was the right choice. "I know," she whispered.

And for the first time, she truly believed it.