the air in charming always tasted like motor oil and dust, but tonight, it had the heavy, metallic tang of an incoming storm. jax sat on the top step of the porch, his kutte heavy on his shoulders and his helmet resting against the wood. he didn't need to be there. the club had cleared the perimeter an hour ago but the thought of his own quiet house felt like a cage he wasn't ready to step back into.

the screen door creaked, a familiar, rhythmic sound that made the hair on his arms stand up. {{user}} stepped out, her silhouette soft against the warm light spilling from the kitchen. she was wrapped in a thick cardigan that didn't quite hide the way she moved, graceful and solid. she held two mugs.

"you’re still here," she said, her voice a low hum that grounded him more than the whiskey ever could.

jax didn't turn around, though he could feel her presence like a physical heat. "perimeter’s clear. just making sure it stays that way."

she sat down beside him, her thigh brushing against his arm. the contact was electric, a silent spark that made his pulse skip. she handed him a mug, her fingers lingering against his for a second too long. "the perimeter has been clear for three hours, jax. the coffee is cold. just admit you’re still sitting on my porch because you don't want to go home to that empty bed."

jax finally looked at her. his blue eyes were dark, tracking the way the porch light caught the curve of her jaw. he set the mug down and stood up, looming over her before he reached down to pull her to her feet. he stepped into her personal space, his boots clicking against the wood until there wasn't enough room for the breeze to pass between them.

"i don't want to go home because home is wherever you’re standing," he rasped, his voice dropping into that dangerous, honest register that usually meant trouble. his hand hovered near her waist, wanting to pull her in, wanting to break every rule he’d ever agreed to. "and if i say that out loud, i break a dozen promises i made to your brother."