Page 18 of All My Heart

“No dishwasher?” I asked, my brain already spinning with what we could do with the place.

Axel turned to face me, crossing his arms over his chest. “I never updated the place. There was never a reason to. People come here for a rustic cabin getaway. As long as it has plumbing, that's all they care about.”

“You want to make a list of the improvements now?” I asked hopefully, not wanting our time together to come to an end. If I went back to my cabin, I'd be alone. That's what I had wanted when I came here, but it was hard when I was used to being surrounded by family.

His brow furrowed. “I don't want to interfere with your day.”

“I want to make a list first. Then I can put together a timeline.”

Axel considered me, then finally nodded. “Let me show you around.”

I was aware of his large body taking up all the space in the small cabin. I took notes on my phone, placing a star next to anything that should be a priority in a remodel.

I was getting the impression that Axel would do the bare minimum without some encouragement from me. I suppose that was because he'd been in the military for so long. He probably wasn't used to surrounding himself with luxury.

He stopped in the doorway to the master bedroom. I stood next to him to get a better look. It had large, heavy furniture, a gray comforter, and white sheets. It smelled like Axel, a delicious combination of cedar and man.

Had he ever had a woman in here? I didn't think so. He didn't strike me as a guy who frequented bars, picking up women for one-night stands. And if he did, he wouldn't want to bring them to his home.

I got the impression this was his safe place, and he didn't invite many people in. It made me feel special that he'd trusted me. And we'd only met yesterday.

But maybe he sensed that I was a good person just like I'd sensed that he wouldn't hurt me.

Axel finally moved into the room. “What do you think we could do in here?”

I swallowed hard because I had lots of ideas. Missionary, doggy style, him bending me over the side of the bed. It was just the right height for him since he was so tall.

Had he thought of me naked in the hot tub last night when he was alone in this bed?

Axel raised a brow. “Luna?”

I forced myself to pull my gaze from the bed that seemingly took up all the space in the room to the man who was occupying my thoughts. “The floors. The walls?”

His lip twitched. “Are you asking me, or is that what you think?”

I felt hot to the point of being feverish. Sweat prickled my forehead. This man oozed sexuality, and I had no business being in his inner sanctum. I wasn't here to jump into another relationship. I certainly couldn't handle anything that was purely physical. And this man was giving off pheromones that would draw me in without much effort.

I didn't stand a chance.

“How's the master bathroom?” I asked, moving toward the door.

Axel just gave me a perplexed look before turning to push open the door to his bathroom.

The bathroom was just the distraction I needed. There was blue tile. “Really. Blue?”

Axel grimaced. “It looks bad, but it's functional. Mostly.”

I walked around the space slowly. If we demolished everything, there would be room for a standing shower, a two-sink vanity, and a toilet. But not much else. It would be a good size for a rental though. “We can work with this.”

“I was hoping you'd say that.”

I turned to leave the room, but Axel blocked the doorway. Had I ever noticed how wide his shoulders were? How his T-shirt clung to his pecs? If I touched him, would I feel every ridge of his abs?

I licked my lips, and his gaze dropped to track the movement. I was in way over my head. “I should get back. I have some work to do.”

His brow raised because I'd told him at breakfast I could work whenever. But suddenly my laptop was calling to me. My desire for self-preservation was kicking in hard.

I didn't know what I was doing here except tempting myself. I wanted him in the worst way. Every inch of my skin was vibrating. I wanted him to touch me, to kiss me. It was completely out of line. I'd only met him yesterday, but then again, our timeline wasn't normal. He'd already seen me naked.

---