Page 26 of Bringing Home the Biker

“Uh, it saysLight When You’re Stressed,” Rain lied, her tone overly casual.

Jim and Davis both snickered, clearly unconvinced.

Rickie grinned and turned to me. “Send me that link, too.”

“Oh my god!” Star and Rain exclaimed in unison, their voices a mix of horror and amusement.

“What?” Rickie asked innocently. “Auntie Rickie still has it, girls.”

Carmen waved a hand at me dismissively. “I’ll just get the link from Rickie.”

Rain threw up her hands, exasperated, but laughed. “All right, that’s enough! What time is dinner?”

I pulled Star into my arms; my arm settled around her waist. I half-expected her to push me away, but she leaned into me easily, her warmth reassuring.

“You like your gifts?” I asked quietly, my voice meant only for her.

She tried to glare at me again, but her lips twitched, betraying her. “Yes, even if the candle was one you should’ve saved for later.”

I shrugged and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Now you can just light it later.”

“You’re shameless, Axel,” she said, though her words held no real heat.

I pressed a kiss to her lips and savored the moment. “Only for you, honey.”

Chapter Fifteen

Star

I was stuffed from dinner, yet I found myself back in the kitchen, sneaking one of the cornflake wreath cookies.

“What are you doing?”

I froze mid-bite, cookie still in hand, and turned around to see Axel standing in the doorway. His arms were crossed, and a knowing smirk played on his lips.

“Caught red-handed,” I said sheepishly and held up the cookie as if it were evidence. “Want one?”

He shook his head, but his grin grew wider. I turned back to the container and reached for another cookie, unable to resist.

Before I could turn around again, I felt him behind me. His warmth radiated through me as he pressed himself gently to my back. His arms wrapped around my waist, and his lips brushed against the shell of my ear.

“Hm,” I hummed. “I thought you didn’t want a cookie.”

“I don’t,” he murmured, his voice low. “I’m hungry for something else.”

My pulse jumped as he kissed the soft spot behind my ear.

“Axel,” I whispered and glanced at the doorway nervously.

“Relax,” he said and turned me gently in his arms. “Everyone’s either outside or sleeping. It’s just us right now.”

His eyes locked onto mine, and the intensity there was enough to make my knees weak. I tossed the cookies over my shoulder onto the counter and wrapped my arms loosely around his neck as he dipped his head to catch my lips in a kiss.

The world outside the kitchen faded as the kiss deepened. It was slow and unhurried but laced with the kind of heat that sent shivers down my spine. Axel moved closer, and his hands slid up my back.

Somehow, I found myself lifted onto the counter, and his strong arms steadied me as he stepped between my legs.

“Axel,” I whispered and pulled back just enough to speak, “we can’t do this here.”

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