the air in charming was thick with the scent of exhaust and cheap beer, the heavy bass from the clubhouse speakers vibrating through the floorboards. {{user}} leaned against the bar, her curves hugged by a soft knit dress that felt like a second skin. she was used to the noise, it was the soundtrack of her life, but the way the new prospect was hovering made her skin crawl. he was too close, his hand far too bold as it landed on the small of her back.

before she could shove him off, a shadow fell over them. the heat radiating from the newcomer was familiar, a mix of leather and woodsmoke.

jax didn't say a word. he simply gripped the prospect's wrist, his knuckles white against his tanned skin, and twisted until the younger man let out a stifled yelp. the look in jax’s blue eyes wasn't just protective; it was feral. he leaned in, whispering something cold into the boy's ear that sent him scurrying toward the back exit without a backward glance.

jax turned to her, his chest heaving under his kutte, his jaw set so tight the bone looked like it might snap. he didn't offer a smile. he just grabbed her hand and led her through the crowd, his large palm warm against hers, until they reached the quiet of the porch.

the night air bit at her skin, a sharp contrast to the chaos inside. {{user}} pulled her hand back, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked at him. he was pacing like a caged animal, the moonlight catching the gold in his beard.

"i could have handled him, jax. i grew up with you and ope. i’m not made of glass," she said, her voice steady despite the way her heart was thundering.

jax stopped. he looked at her then, really looked at her, his gaze lingering on the softness of her face before dropping to the floor. "i know what you're made of. that’s the problem."

{{user}} took a step toward him, confused by the sudden hollow ache in his voice. "what is that supposed to mean?"

jax closed the distance between them in a single stride. he was a wall of muscle and denim, towering over her, smelling of the road and whiskey. he reached out, his thumb brushing the line of her jaw with a tenderness that made her breath hitch. his touch was rough from working on bikes, but his expression was pure longing.

"it means if i let anything happen to you, i lose the only thing in this life that still feels... clean," he murmured, his voice dropping to a gravelly low. his thumb lingered near her bottom lip, and for a second, the 'brother's best friend' barrier felt like it was made of paper. "i can't let that happen."