Warmth.
That was the first thing she felt. Soft furs beneath her knees. Bare skin against hers. A chest. A heartbeat.
Nova stirred slightly, the ache in her ribs a dull hum now. Her cheek was pressed against the slope of someone's chest. Her body—
Her entire body was draped over his.
Chest to chest. Legs tangled. One of his arms was draped across her back, the other cradling her upper shoulders. The rise and fall of his breath moved her with it, slow and steady.
She didn't need to look to know who it was. He smelled like the forest after rain—cool air, cedarwood, pine, and the faintest trace of fresh snowfall. Jax.
Her body tensed. Almost instantly, the arm around her tightened — like his wolf sensed her panic before she could fully feel it.
"You're okay, Nova. I've got you," Jax whispered, his voice low and warm against her ear.
Her eyes didn't open. She was caught somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, floating. But everywhere his skin touched hers, she felt electric—sparks that whispered through her nerves and wrapped her in heat. Safe. She let herself drift back under.
The next time she stirred, the world was quiet and warm. She was still lying on him—his arms wrapped firmly around her, as if he hadn't moved all night.
Her eyes fluttered open slowly.
She stayed like that for a few minutes, unsure if she was ready to move—or if she even wanted to.
Then she felt him stir beneath her. A subtle shift. A breath drawn.
He'd been holding her like that in his sleep.
Realization sank in, and warmth crept up her neck.
She was lying on top of Jax.
And now she was blushing.
"Jax?" she whispered against his neck, her voice hoarse and uncertain.
His reply came low and groggy, thick with sleep. "You're awake."
"Where—?"
"We're in my chambers," he said quickly, maybe too quickly—like he'd rehearsed it. "You nearly died of hypothermia. Elias said you needed warmth. Skin-to-skin."
Nova blinked slowly, brain still catching up.
Then her senses aligned—and reality hit hard.
She was in nothing but black undergarments, her body pressed full-length against his bare chest, her legs tangled with his like they belonged there.
Her breath hitched. "Oh my gods," she muttered, trying to push herself up, mortified. A sharp ache flared through her side and she winced.
He didn't let her go.
"Hey—hey, easy," he said, arms steady around her. "You're still healing."
"Why am I—why are we—" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Why are we like this?"
Jax chuckled softly, the sound rumbling low in his chest. "It was either this… or let you freeze to death. Elias said skin-to-skin contact was the only way to raise your core temperature."
Nova looked up at him, her green eyes meeting his. His face was still soft with sleep, shadows under his eyes, jaw unshaven—but his expression was unreadable. Too gentle for a man who usually carried himself like war wrapped in skin.
She relaxed a hair, letting her cheek rest against his chest again. The steady beat of his heart echoed softly in her ear.
He gave a slight shrug, one hand brushing lightly along her back with the pad of his thumb.
"You were freezing," he murmured. "You wouldn't stop shaking. Nova… I care about you. And I don't want to lose you."
Her heart skipped once. Then again.
"Thanks for keeping me warm," she whispered.
Jax's fingers moved gently, tracing the curve of her shoulder down to the small of her back. Once. Slowly. Then up again.
And stopped.
"Always. As long as I'm breathing, you'll never be cold again." He whispered.