Page 6 of Redemption

The edges of his mouth curl up into a smile that makes his blue eyes light up. “A fucking Puka shell necklace, really, Wildcat?”

It takes a second for his words to register before my emotions get the best of me. I slam the door shut and stomp over to where he’s sitting until the tips of my boots come into contact with his. That’s as close as I’m allowing us to get. “Have you been stalking me?”

“It’s not stalking to watch out for what belongs to me.” His head tilts up to meet my gaze.

“Says every stalker out there.” I roll my eyes towards the ceiling. “And I don’t belong to you.”

“You do.” He shrugs a shoulder at me, but doesn’t move from his position otherwise. “Pack a bag, Red. It’s time to come home.”

“No way. I’m not going anywhere with you.” I take a couple of steps back, needing a bit of distance from him. He’s too much sometimes.

“That’s the only time I’ll ask nicely.” He sits up and shifts his body weight forward like he’s ready to stand, but hangs his hands between his legs.

“Fuck you!” My hands clench into fists at my sides.

“Maybe later. Right now, we’re pressed for time.” He shrugs, but doesn’t take his eyes off of me.

“Axel. Or is it Shawn? You lying asshat.” I shake my head so hard I’m surprised that I don’t end up with whiplash.

“I didn’t technically lie. That is my middle name.” He slowly stands to his feet and tilts his head to the side.

“Glad you think you’re funny, but I’m still not coming back with you.”

“You don’t have a choice in the matter, Kelsey.” The way he says my name should serve enough as a warning, but as usual I let my mouth run off without thinking.

My whole body stiffens at the underlying threat those words hold. “You bet your ass I do.”

“You don’t. Everyone wants you back home.” He rubs his thumb along his bottom lip as he watches me. “Me, your parents, Charlee.”

A slight pang hits my chest at the mention of my best friends name, but I can’t let him drag me back there. “This is ridiculous. Leave right now or I’m calling the police.” I storm over to my kitchenette and grab my cell off the counter. “I’m not kidding, Axel. This is your one and only warning.”

I expect him to freak out or yell, but he doesn’t. He stands there staring at me with something working behind his eyes causing my heart to pound against my chest with each second that ticks by. His silence is almost worse than his smart mouth.

“Times up.” I glance down and start dialing, but I only get the first number punched in before the phone is taken out of my hand and I’m thrown over is shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“I can see some things haven’t changed.” He laughs and spanks me on the ass as he stomps into my room. His hands dig into my thighs as he slides me down his body until I’m standing upright.

The second my feet hit the floor I attempt to make a run for it, but I don’t even get a step in before I feel the bite of cold metal against my wrist.

“What the fuck?” I jerk my arm and see his at the same time. “You just handcuffed me to you.”

“You never complained before. In fact, I remember you asking me to—”

My free hand covers his mouth as heat floods my face. “Don’t even say it.”

He smiles against my hand and then I feel something warm and wet tickle my palm.

“Gross.” My nose wrinkles as I wipe my hand on the bottom of my dress. “I can’t believe you just licked me.”

“Won’t be the last time either.” He winks and goes back to packing my clothes with one arm. I don’t have much so he’s done in a matter of minutes and tossing the bag over his shoulder. He tugs me along towards the door with me fighting against him the whole way.

“I told you I’m not going back.” I dig my heels into the floor and yank on the cuffs once more, but he nudges me into his chest with a slight jerk of his arm and presses his lips against mine.

My mouth gasps open at the sudden movement and he takes full advantage. His tongue slips inside, controlling me from the inside out. A groan escapes me and just when I’m about to pull him in for more he breaks it.

“We can fight about this inside Willie Mae.” He leads me out the door lost in a lust-filled haze and doesn’t stop until we reach the bottom of the stairs, near the parking lot.

We only make it a few steps after that when there’s a giant explosion. One minute I’m on my feet and the next I’m being pinned to the ground by a pair of familiar strong arms. “Motherfuckers blew up my truck!”

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