Page 22 of Redemption

Kelsey

I wake up with afurnace at my back. Warm hands are lightly stroking across the small expanse of skin where my shirt has ridden up. My stomach quivers with every touch of his fingers as they dip lower with each motion until they’re grazing over the top of my panties.

Evidence of his arousal nestles firmly between my butt cheeks. Wearing nothing but a thong and tank top to bed may have not been the best idea. I was just so tired and angry last night after I showered that I fell into bed and passed out without a second thought.

“Morning.” The warmth of his breath fans against the back of my head causing another bout of shivers to race through me. His finger slides over my clit and an aching fire of need explodes inside of me .

My body stiffens as my thighs clench together. It’s damn near impossible to fight the urge to surrender to the sensations that are coursing through me. Only Axel has that effect on me, but then I remember how he locked me up in here last night and all sense comes back to me. “What are you doing in here?”

“You know, generally, people follow that with a ‘good morning’.” His body vibrates against mine as a laugh escapes him.

“Most people aren’t locked inside a room all night like a damn prisoner,” I shoot back while flashes of last night surface. Just like that the spell I’m under is broken and all I see is red.

His hands fall away leaving an ache of emptiness behind. I hate myself for being so weak, so needy, when it comes to him. He falls to his back and lets out a heavy sigh, but I stay put on my side. If I can’t see those blue eyes or those damn dimples then I’ll be able to remain strong and not be ruled by my stupid hormones.

We lay in silence for a few awkward beats and I half expect him to say something else that will start another fight, but to my surprise he lets it go and changes the subject. “You hungry? Charlee said she’s making breakfast.”

My heart warms at thoughts of seeing her again. Yesterday, the short time we spent together wasn’t nearly enough to make up for the years we were apart. “Yeah, I am.”

The mattress dips as he gets to his feet and my throat goes dry at the sight. Axel’s in nothing but his boxers dangling in front of me like a mouthwatering treat. That thin layer of material is all that was separating us from being skin to skin.

I shake my head clear of his six pack and not be distracted by tattoos or the mouth watering body they’re attached to. “We should probably talk about things first.”

He shakes his head as he throws on a pair of jeans and a navy t-shirt with some Southern style writing on it. “I promise we’ll talk about all this other shit between us later. Let’s just go eat first.”

“Fine.” I scoot out after him and throw on my jeans, but when I go to put my bra on my hands freeze. I have an audience. “Turn around.” I motion with my finger for him to face the other way.

“Ain’t nothing I haven’t sucked or nibbled on before, Wildcat.” His lips twist into smile putting my kryptonite on full display. Dimples that deep should be illegal.

“You are so annoying.” I sigh and give him my back. After some creative bending and maneuvering my bra’s in place. Once I’m sure the girls are secure, I spin on my heel to face him.

He’s still smiling like the cat that ate the canary and I half expect him to gloat or make a sexual comment about my boobs, but once again he surprises me by keeping quiet. Without a word, he grabs my hand and leads me down the stairs into the kitchen where the rest of the family is. Let me just say the entire scene is a lot to take in first thing in the morning.

Asher’s behind Charlee whispering something into her ear that has her laughing, while his hands rest on her waist. Zane is sitting at the counter in a navy t-shirt and jeans, holding a very awake Lily. Her little hands are tugging at the end of his beard as he sips on his coffee without a care in the world. It’s all very surreal.

“Sleep well?” Zane’s blue eyes meet mine and there’s no missing the hidden meaning in his words that are directed at me.

“Yup.” I force my feet to walk further into the room straight for what I’m in dire need of, ignoring all the stares that follow along the way. Lucky for me, there’s an entire pot of coffee that takes all my attention. I swipe one of the empty mugs next to the coffee maker and pour myself a full cup. The tips of my ears burn as I feel their continued stares, but I stay facing away from them to avoid eye contact. If I can’t see them then it’s as if they aren’t there.

Axel comes behind me, setting something down on the counter in front of me. My chest tightens the second I read the label and my eyes flicker up to his. “Hazelnut creamer?”

“I told you. I remember everything, Wildcat.” A smirk spreads across his face as he kisses me on the side of the head and steals a plate of food.

Not sure what to make of this whole thing, I move out of the kitchen and take a seat next to Zane. My gaze plants on Lily’s wiggling form as I blow on the hot liquid in my hand, but I feel Axel standing next to me once again. This time I’m not succumbing to the bait. I keep my attention on the baby as if everything she’s doing is the most fascinating thing in the world.

She’s got her mother’s green eyes, but there’s no missing the Savage in her. Those same damn dimples that have been the cause of all my heartache and bad decisions. Decisions that have landed me in this latest predicament are on her chubby cheeks as well.

“Morning. Sleep well?” Charlee turns to glance over her shoulder at me with her spatula raised and Asher still snuggled up right against her. It’s like they can’t get enough of each other. It makes my heart melt. I love seeing my friend so happy. Her childhood wasn’t the easiest growing up given her dad’s line of work and she deserves all the joy she can find in life now.

“Morning.” My eyes dart to Axel and there’s no missing the spark behind them as I answer Charlee. The rat bastard! “I did, thanks.”

“Since the guys will be gone the rest of the day, what do you think of us having a girls day?” Her green eyes light up as she speaks. “We can catch up like old times.”

It’s still early, so it takes a second for the first half of her words to register and then my heads whipping in Axel’s direction ready to commit murder. “Wait a minute. Where the fuck are you going?”

“No swearing in front of Lily,” Axel whispers next my ear as he sets a plate of food down in front of him and digs in.

I pinch the bridge of my nose while I take a couple of deep breathes and count to ten to keep from murdering him in front of the baby. “Where in the heck are you going?”

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