Page 17 of Dangerous Mission

Axel pulled the SUV into a truck stop parking lot to get Terri a change of clothes. She reached for the door, but Axel grabbed her arm.

“Stay in the car. I’m going to grab us each another coffee and some clothes for you.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re really going to buy me underwear and a bra?”

“I’ll grab you clothes. Not sure they sell undergarments.” His eyes dipped to Terri’s boobs. “You don’t need any underwear.”

Before she could respond, he jumped out of the SUV and walked toward the front doors. Her eyes were glued to his ass with each step. He filled out his dark denim jeans perfectly. His black shirt was tight around his arms, which were double the size they were when they were in high school. He was always bigger than she was, spending hours in the gym, lifting weights. She chose to spend her time on the treadmill. Back then, she only had to run a few miles a week to stay in shape. Now she ran close to three miles a day and watched what she ate, because the second she gained a pound, the media went into a frenzy about how she was pregnant.

Terri rested her hands on her stomach. She loved kids and wanted to start a family. The moment she’d started to date Axel, she knew he would make a great dad, mostly because he didn’t let money or fame go to his head. He hated it as much as she did, but she could never escape the reality of her life. She watched his sisters wade through the waters of being A-list actresses and still spend time with their kids. She tried dating, but it didn’t work. A few times, she considered settling, but evidence about how the person was using her for fame or getting something out of her dad always came to light.

“Here.” Axel tossed her a bag as he opened the door. When she peered inside, she saw that he’d gotten her a shirt and pants. They were even the right size. But no undergarments.

“Really?”

“I like thinking about you not having any on—plus, they didn’t sell them.”

His deep, raspy voice went straight to her core, and she shifted in her seat. “Just because the kiss earlier was mind-blowing doesn’t mean I will sleep with you.”

Axel put the SUV in reverse before he glanced over at her. “Mind-blowing? I would say hot as fuck.” He reached over and squeezed her thigh. Even his damn touch sent a wave of goosebumps through Terri’s whole body.

She knew she should push his hand away, but for the first time in years, she felt so grounded by his touch. The world spun around her, but for a second, she felt like nothing could get to her.

Axel's eyes darted to the rearview mirror, and his lips turned down. The same lips that pressed against her an hour ago.

“What is it?”

Axel tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. “The car behind us passed us when we were going to the cabin.”

Terri rolled her eyes. “It’s a red Ford truck. I think there’s more than one on the roads.”

He shook his head. “But this one also waited in the truck stop parking lot for us to leave, and I’ve slowed down enough for them to pass, as the other people did, but the truck slowed down. When I speed up, the truck does the same.”

Terri’s nerves shot through the roof. “Should I grab a gun from the back and shoot out the tires?” She wanted a reaction out of Axel because he was overthinking the situation.

“If you knew how to shoot, I would say yes, but we know what happened last time I was with you and a gun.”

Her father wanted her to learn how to protect herself. He’d sent her to gun safety classes, and she dragged Axel along. He was a natural. Terri on the other hand, missed the target, and a piece of the bullet ricocheted off a pole and took out the window of the store.

“I’ve practiced a lot more since then, but I was joking about taking the person out. They’re not going to follow us.”

“I bet they will,” Axel said as he glanced in the mirror.

“Game on.” She knew it was stupid to bet, but she sure as hell didn’t plan on taking back her words.

His lips twisted into a devilish grin. “What do I get when I win?”

He wouldn’t win, because he was acting like the whole world was after her. “Whatever you want.”

“Okay. I want a kiss. Not a peck on the lips—a kiss. Also, you’ll sleep in the same room as me so I can make sure you’re protected all night.”

“If I win, we head back to DC and stay at my secret apartment.”

“Technically, it’s not a secret,” Axel pointed out. “Your father’s known about the place for years.”

“Then we stay at my regular condo, which has great security.”

“Sure…” The SUV slowed down, and Axel took the next turn without signaling, then the SUV lurched forward as he stepped on the gas. Her eyes flicked to the mirror, and the truck behind them turned.

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