Page 12 of Redemption

Kelsey

I wipe the steam offthe cracked mirror and stare back at my reflection. The water smelled like chlorine, but at least I’m clean after a couple of days of traveling. I don’t look like I’m homeless any longer so that’s a plus. All the dirt and grime are washed away, but I have a few scrapes and bruises that have appeared since then. Purplish bruising contrasts against the green matching bra and thong set, Axel bought me. I laugh at images of him shopping for my undergarments.

Zane and Axel’s voices carry through the door interrupting my thoughts, but I can’t make out any of what they’re saying. I slip on the skinny jeans and green tank top, that were another gift from Axel, as fast as I can and press my ear to the door.

“Not talking about this shit anymore, Ax.” The front door slams so hard causing the one I’m leaning against to rattle on its hinges.

I wait for a bit before I open the door and plant myself in front of the dresser. Keeping my eyes glued to the mirror in front of me, my fingers run through the clumps and get to work detangling the wet strands. This one is bigger and much easier to use because the broken one in the bathroom kept fogging over.

I’m so focused that I don’t realize my mistake until Axel’s reflection is directly in my line of sight. He’s leaning against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest in a navy t-shirt that hugs all of his muscles in the right places and brings out the blue of his eyes. Black jeans mold to his legs like a second skin and give way to an equally dark pair of cowboy boots. Even fully clothed the bastard manages to undo me.

I clear my throat a couple of times to clear away the images of him in nothing but the towel earlier or the way my mouth watered at the sight and ask, “Where’s Zane going?”

“To check us out. The sooner we get back on the road the better.” He answers me, but he seems like he’s lost in his own head and a million miles away.

“Agreed.” I nod and go back to attempting to tame the mess that is my hair. Axel managed to acquire everything I needed except for a brush and trying to finger comb curly hair is next to impossible to do without getting your fingers tangled through it.

My gaze can’t help but drift in Axel’s direction as I continue to battle with the knots. His eyes trail up every inch of me. It makes me feel naked—exposed to him, even though I’m fully dressed. I ignore him and continue running my fingers through my hair. He pushes off the wall, closing the distance between us until he’s in my personal space. His hands grip the sides of my hips and he pulls my back up against his firm chest, rubbing his nose along my temple.

“Ax…” The familiar scent of tobacco and cedar wood sends shivers through me, as his hardness pokes against my ass. I fight against the onslaught of emotions that are threatening to pull me under because I can’t afford to drown in all that is him again, but I’m losing that battle more and more the longer I’m around him.

“You smell good enough to eat.” His teeth nibble on the lobe of my ear as his hands slip underneath my top and trace slow circles against the skin of my stomach.

“Please?” My knees shake from the softness of his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. The warmth of his fingers leave a lingering swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I squeeze my eyes shut and revel in the sensations that are flooding my body. I’m so far gone I don’t know if I’m begging him to stop or to keep going.

“I’ll give you everything, Wildcat. All you have to do is ask.” His tongue licks and sucks where his teeth just were. Heat spreads from my core to my chest and just when I think his hands are going to move further south and release the ache building inside me, he stops.

My eyes shoot open and I’m about ready to beg him to finish, when he asks, “How long are you going to be mad at me?” His chin brushes aside my wet hair and rests against my shoulder as his blue eye’s meet mine through the mirror.

“I’m not mad, Ax. I’m angry and hurt. There’s a difference.” I swallow the lump forming in my throat and do my best not to shiver as he runs the tips of his fingers higher up along my stomach to edge of my bra.

He forehead scrunches. “Why?”

“You used me and lied to me. Then I was kidnapped because of all the shit you were into and I had no idea why. How am I supposed to believe that you’re being truthful now?”

A second later, his hands fall out of my shirt and he spins me around to face him. His hands land on my hips, holding me in place. “Listen to me and listen good. I never used you. Everything between us was real. Every touch. Every moment. Was all us, Wildcat.” A muscle jumps in his cheek as he stares me down. His blue eyes burn into mine, branding me with every word.

My heart pounds in my throat the longer our gazes stay locked on one another. The tip of his thumb lifts and lingers across my bottom lip while the hand still around my waist tightens. His head leans down as he brushes his lips lightly across mine. The kiss is slow and hesitant at first, like he’s trying to tell me something.

My hands fist into the soft material of his t-shirt, pulling him even closer. Our lips tangling into a bruising kiss. What started out slow and sweet has quickly morphed into something else.

“Y’all ready to go or what?” Zane walks through the door bringing me back to my senses before I do something stupid, like let him in again.

I jump out of Axel’s arms so fast I’m surprised I don’t trip and adjust my clothes. Nothing like being caught to add cold water on my hormones.

Axel drops his hands and adjusts himself, but doesn’t move away otherwise, leaving no doubt that I just gave him a raging case of blue balls.

Zane’s head bounces between the two of us, but if he has any idea what he interrupted he doesn’t say a word about it and for that I’m grateful. He watches us once more before spinning in his heels and walking back out the door. “I’ll be in the truck.”

It takes Axel a second to move and then he has our bags in hand and is waiting for me by the door, but before we leave I need to know something. “How did you know?”

“Know what?” His dark eyebrows pinch together.

“My clothes.” I gesture down to my outfit.

A smile lights up his face, bringing out those damn dimples. “I told you earlier. I know everything about your body, Wildcat.” He smacks my ass and walks out the door. Leaving me wanting to both punch and kiss him all at the same time. One thing is for sure, the drive home will be interesting.

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