Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the blinds, painting stripes across Avery's bare back as she stirred. She was a cocoon of warmth and muscle, intimately tangled with Jax. A dull throb pulsed behind her eyes, a gentle reminder of the copious amounts of wine that had fueled their spectacular reunion the night before. The specifics of the evening were a hazy, pleasurable blur, punctuated by laughter, whispered confessions, and an undeniable magnetic pull that had only intensified during their time apart.

A glance at her watch revealed the time: 7:30 AM. Panic flickered briefly – the movers were scheduled to arrive at her office at ten. She needed to extract herself from Jax's embrace, shower, and prepare for the whirlwind of the day ahead.

The attempt to disentangle herself proved more challenging than anticipated. Every muscle deep within her core protested with a delicious ache, a testament to the passionate hours they had spent rediscovering each other. Last night had been a study in contrasts – raw and demanding one moment, then breathtakingly tender the next. It was as if he had been physically trying to bridge the chasm of their separation, each touch a silent apology and a fervent promise of what was to come.

The slight shift in the mattress caused Jax to stir. A low groan rumbled in his chest as his arms tightened around her waist, pulling her back down against his hard length. She could feel the unmistakable pressure of his arousal against her backside, a potent reminder of the unfinished business between them.

"Going somewhere?" His voice was thick with sleep, a husky rasp that sent shivers down her spine. His right hand snaked around her waist, his fingers finding and gently cupping her breast.

A blush crept up her neck. "To pee. Then I need to head home to shower and get dressed properly. The moving company is bringing all my things today. After that, I have to call Mrs. Morrow and try to schedule a meeting at the bank, either later today or tomorrow, to finalize the paperwork for the house." The words tumbled out in a rush, a stark contrast to the languid intimacy of the moment.

"Let's shower together," Jax murmured, his lips nuzzling the nape of her neck.

A wry smile touched Avery's lips. "I would hate to see that hard-on go to waste."

A chuckle rumbled through him. "My thoughts exactly." With a swiftness that belied his sleepy demeanor, he sat up, pulling her along with him toward the adjoining bathroom.-----The subsequent shower was a blur of steam, soap, and hurried, passionate kisses. They emerged damp and slightly breathless, the earlier drowsiness completely banished. Donning the jeans she had worn the previous night and one of Jax's worn SAMCRO t-shirts, Avery followed him out of the clubhouse and toward his Harley. Their stomachs were rumbling in unison. Lumpy's, their usual haunt, was the obvious choice for a much-needed breakfast before heading to her parents' house. She needed to change into something more practical for the physical labor of moving and unpacking.

Avery strapped on her helmet, the familiar weight grounding her slightly as she climbed onto the back of Jax's bike. He swung his leg over the seat, the leather of his cut creaking softly. After fastening his own helmet, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against the familiar expanse of his leather-clad back, her cheek nestled between his shoulder blades. The rumble of the engine beneath her was a comforting vibration, a tangible link to the man she held onto so tightly.

The ride to Lumpy's was short and familiar. They parked the bike in its usual spot and slid into their favorite corner booth. The worn vinyl seats conformed to their bodies as they waited with comfortable anticipation for their usual waitress.

"You know what you're having?" Avery asked, her gaze softening as she watched him scan the laminated menu, a small smile playing on his lips.

"I was thinking the western omelet with hash browns and an OJ. Seems I worked up quite the appetite last night," Jax said, glancing up from the menu to deliver a playful wink that made her stomach flutter despite the lingering hangover.

"Is that so?" she replied, raising a teasing eyebrow.

"Oh yes. And I intend to work up another appetite later too," he said, reaching across the table to take her left hand in his. He brought her knuckles to his lips, his kiss sending a jolt of heat through her.

"You sure of that?" Avery challenged, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Oh, I'm positive. Don't act like you weren't just thinking about getting me naked," he countered, his lips curving into that signature devilish grin, the one that had always had a potent effect on her.

"I was not. But now I am," she admitted, a flush creeping up her cheeks.

"Good. I don't want you thinking about anything else but my naked body and my cock sliding in and out of you slowly, bringing you to ecstasy, when those movers get sweaty moving all of your things today," Jax said, his eyes darkening with a palpable hunger that mirrored her own.

"Like I could ever think of anything else when you say things like that," Avery murmured, her blush deepening.

"That's the point, baby," Jax said, winking and flashing her that patented smile that still made her heart skip a beat after all this time.

*****

The last cardboard box, heavy with the remnants of Avery Mitchell's former life, thudded softly onto the floor of her new office. One of the three burly movers wiped a bead of sweat from his brow and nodded towards the remaining stacks. "That looks to be the last of them, ma'am," he announced, his voice slightly hoarse after their relentless work over the past couple of hours.

A wave of relief washed over Avery as she straightened up from the box she had begun to unpack. A smile touched her lips. "Thank you guys! You were amazing." She gestured towards a sealed box. "Any word on when my car will be delivered?" The same reliable company that had expertly maneuvered her furniture through the office door was also entrusted with the task of transporting her beloved car across the vast expanse of the country. It felt strange not having it, a piece of familiar comfort yet to arrive.

"Should be here in a couple of hours, Mrs. Mitchell," another mover chimed in, consulting a digital device in his hand.

"Awesome!" Avery exclaimed, her anticipation growing. "Again, thank you guys so much! I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome. Hope you have a great day," the first mover replied, a hint of weariness in his tone. With a final nod, he and his two partners turned and headed out of the office, leaving Avery surrounded by the tangible pieces of her life, ready to be sorted and settled into her new space.

Before she could fully immerse herself in the task of unpacking, the insistent trill of her phone cut through the quiet. Reaching into the pocket of her jeans, she retrieved the device and glanced at the digital readout on the screen. The familiar name "Jax" illuminated the small screen. A warmth spread through her chest.

"Hey baby," she said, her voice softening as she answered the call.

"Hey. Movers done?" Jax's voice, a comforting rumble she had longed to hear, filled her ear.

"They're just leaving," Avery confirmed, watching as the moving truck pulled away from the curb outside.

"Mind if I stop by? Maybe bring some lunch?" Jax's thoughtfulness, a constant in their history, made her smile.

"Sure. I am kinda hungry," she admitted, realizing her stomach had been too preoccupied with the move to register its needs until now.

"Okay. Want anything in particular?" he asked, always considerate of her preferences.

"Nah, surprise me," Avery replied, a playful tone in her voice. She trusted his taste.

"Okay. See you in a few minutes," Jax promised.

"I'll be waiting," Avery said, her eyes drifting around the still-cluttered office, a sense of joyful anticipation bubbling within her.

"I love you," Jax murmured, the simple words carrying a weight of shared history and renewed affection.

"And I love you," Avery responded, the sentiment echoing deeply within her.

With a gentle click, the call ended. Avery tucked her phone back into her pocket and turned her attention back to the boxes. She began organizing, carefully placing files into the designated cabinets. This office wasn't just a place for work; since all her belongings were now here, it also held fragments of her personal life, waiting to be rediscovered.

Picking up a smaller box labeled "Photos," a wave of nostalgia washed over her. These were relics from a decade ago, packed away when she embarked on a different chapter of her life. Carefully opening the box, she sifted through the contents, her fingers brushing against faded edges and familiar faces. Candid shots of her and Jax emerged – frozen moments in time. There they were, younger, carefree, tangled together in bed, their smiles radiant. Another photo captured them laughing amidst the lively atmosphere of their old clubhouse, drinks in hand, surrounded by friends.

Sinking into the plush leather of the desk chair in her new office, Avery began to sort through the photographs, each one a key unlocking a flood of memories. She traced the contours of Jax's smile in one picture, the warmth of his arm around her in another. It was a poignant jog down memory lane, a vivid reminder of the deep connection they had once shared.

As she looked through all the pictures and remembered the easy intimacy they had once known, John's comment from the night before echoed in her mind. "It looks like you two are picking back up right where you left off." At the time, she had brushed it off, but now, surrounded by these tangible reminders of their past, she couldn't deny the truth in his words.

A soft smile played on Avery's lips. It was funny, in a comforting way, that even after being apart for so long, both of them having navigated their own separate paths and undoubtedly changed over the years, things seemed to effortlessly fall back into place between them. Sure, the undeniable sexual chemistry was still there, a potent undercurrent that had always defined their connection. But what Avery was truly referring to was the comfortable ease they found in each other's presence, the unspoken understanding, the way they could simply be without pretense or effort. It was a profound realization, a quiet confirmation in the depths of her heart that some connections were simply meant to endure.